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Home My Public Portal AboutNauset Schools -- 2020-08-31 Minutes (3) Nauset Regional School Committee August 31 , 2020 Virtual meeting, live streamed at Eastham Town Hall Present for the Committee : Ian Mack, Judith Schumacher, John O ' Reilly, Chris Easley, Richard Stewart, Robert Jacobus, Josh Stewart, Ed Brookshire and Tom Fitzgibbons Present for the Administration : Thomas Conrad, Giovanna Venditti, Principal Julie Kobold and Principal Chris Ellsasser Call to Order Chair Easley called the meeting to order at 6 : 00 p . m . noting the Zoom invitation # 81129935906 and the pass code of 201255 . Agenda Changes — None Citizens Speak - None PRIORITY BUSINESS 2020-21 School Calendar Assistant Superintendent Keith Gauley presented the 2020 -21 school calendar to the Committee . He explained that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESS) allowed 10 days for staff training and Nauset is using 8 of these days and carrying two into the year, in the event they are needed . He also informed the Committee that the DESE changed the requirement from 180 student days to 170 student days . The Nauset calendar reflects 175 student days . He presented two calendars, one with half days for professional development and one without. The Administration recommended approving the calendar with half days included . He indicated there will be two district wide professional development days . He indicated the advantage with having the calendar with early release days is that it gives time for staff training, for teachers to implement the training and then some follow up . He further stated that early release days for professional development will take place on Wednesdays when students are in remote learning so there will be no transportation costs . He also indicated that the five extra days are included in the calendar as the teachers ' contract has teachers in school 185 days . Marls Mathison, Union President, was in favor of the calendar and keeping two training days in the event they are needed over the course of the year, if they move from one method to another . MOTION : On a motion by Richard Jacobus, seconded by Richard Stewart, it was voted 8 yeas and 1 nay (Josh Stewart) to approve the 2020-21 school calendar with the half days included . On a roll call the vote was as follows : John O ' Reilly — yea, Josh Stewart — nay, Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, Judy Schumacher — yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Ian Mack — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Chris Easley — yea, Ed Brookshire - yea Ventilation at Nauset High School The Superintendent reported that he met with Principal Ellsasser and Head Custodian Tony Nanini . They have been working with Mechnical Air Control, who has been working in the District for 13 years . Due to high demand, Mechanical Air was unable to get to Nauset before now . Principal Ellsasser indicated the report came in today indicating that the fans on the roof that pull air out of the classrooms and the fans that pull air into classrooms are not working . There is a significant amount of work to be done and they are waiting for cost estimate . Nauset Regional School Committee, August 31, 2020 1 P a g e Principal Ellsasser indicated they will go to the full remote model and professional development will focus on remote learning. They will be looking at N Building to identify rooms students in the life skills program and other students that need to be on campus can use . He wants to provide the five days of on campus support for these students . For the majority of students they can go into a fully remote model until the building is ready to go and then move back into a hybrid model. The Superintendent indicated that this is all about safety for the staff and students . He wants to know the costs going forward and hopes to have some answers within days . Members voiced concerns over cost estimates, the system not working and the timing . Solutions were brainstormed and hiring a Director of Plant Maintenance, which was talked about years ago, was mentioned . Principal Ellsasser indicated that he has confidence in his teachers and remote learning . The educational plan has had a remote, hybrid and in-person learning so they will not be scrambling with teaching and learning. The Superintendent indicated that this is about safety of our staff and students . The work won ' t be done immediately so we have to switch to remote learning and figure out the best avenue to go forward with this situation . The Superintendent indicated the Middle School is had their inspection and there are no issues at the Middle School . Chair Easley stated that this comes as no surprise as they began the project to remodel the school five years ago . Part of the problem is the air quality in the school . It is unfortunate that this news is coming so late but the problem is understandable . He asked Administration to look at creative solutions . He indicated that the Committee had made a definitive choice not to put money into the building. They were using capital funds for the Middle School to maximize the benefits . This is what the Committee worried about and that is why they need the renovation project. The Committee did not put money into the high school on purpose to attempt to save money for the taxpayers . Principal Ellsasser indicated they must wait for the report . They knew the building is in some disrepair. We tried to fit all kids in the building, built a hybrid solution and now we will start remotely . He felt terrible for kids and to change things up again . The staff will keep their eye on teaching and learning for students . Motion : On a motion by John O ' Reilly, seconded by Ian Mack, it was voted unanimously by roll call to move to an entire remote program until the system can be addressed . On a roll call the vote was as follows : John O ' Reilly — yea, Josh Stewart — yea, Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, Judy Schumacher — yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Ian Mack — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Chris Easley — yea, Ed Brookshire — yea The Administration was encouraged to look at creative ways to bring kids together outside of their screens . It was suggested kids come to the campus to see each other and keep social, emotional wellness a priority . Principal Ellsasser agreed that getting kids together is such an important part of growing up and education . The Superintendent indicated there was a lot of discussion from the Commissioner about students in remote learning not playing sports . He is totally against that approach . He would like any student in remote learning able to participate in sports . The timeline for sports was discussed and the MIAA guidelines . The Superintendent would like to see as many opportunities for kids to socialize as possible . Nauset Regional School Committee, August 31, 2020 2 P a g e Motion : On a motion by Josh Stewart, seconded by Richard Stewart, it was voted to allow all students to participate in sports in the coming school year . On a roll call the vote was as follows : John O ' Reilly — yea, Josh Stewart — nay, Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, Judy Schumacher — yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Ian Mack — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Chris Easley — yea, Ed Brookshire - yea Principal Ellsasser indicated that with remote learning there are guidelines and teachers and students are not available day and night . Future Agenda Item Ian Mack asked that goal setting for the coming year be discussed at a future meeting . Adjournment On a motion by John O ' Reilly, seconded Robert Jacobus , it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7 : 12 p . m . On a roll call the vote was as follows : John O ' Reilly — yea, Josh Stewart — nay, Tom Fitzgibbons — yea, Judy Schumacher — yea, Richard Stewart — yea, Ian Mack — yea, Robert Jacobus — yea, Chris Easley — yea, Ed Brookshire - yea Submitted by, Ann M . Tefft Nauset Regional School Committee, August 31, 2020 3 P a g e